Posts Tagged ‘christianity’
Posted on March 27, 2009 - by Frank
Friday March 27th. – Lent 2009
Within Christianity there is a sacrament that acts as an amazing unifier. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Eucharist, Communion etc) works to unite us with God and with the wider body of Christ – the Church – both past, present and future.
The Westminster Confession of Faith says this about the Lord’s Supper:
Posted on February 25, 2009 - by Drew
Ash Wednesday – Lent 2009
Ash Wednesday – today – is the first day of Lent, the day we remember our mortality. The church tradition on Ash Wednesday was to mark the foreheads of the faithful with a cross made with a mixture of ash and oil. As the priest imposed this cross he would intone “Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19) This ceremony began the Lenten journey of repentance and self denial leading up to Easter.
Posted on February 23, 2009 - by Frank
Absorbing Violence
For some time I have been considering what it really looks like to stand with the poor and oppressed as a Christian. I believe this is something central to what it means to live the Christian life and pursue the things God cares about as demonstrated through the life of Jesus.
Through my journey of shaping my life in this direction I have found myself feeling admiration towards movements that I simply do not sit well with. It is an admiration that has troubled me.
In his book, Violence, Jacques Ellul talks of the natural human inclinations when using one’s life to stand with the poor and oppressed. He makes the point that if one follows their natural human inclinations then the instinctual response will eventually kick in and violence will be used as a tool to further the cause of the marginalised. He points to Christian perspectives that have engaged and embraced such forms of revolution and argued it to be a Christian outworking of God’s call to stand with the down-trodden.
Posted on February 12, 2009 - by Drew
The Christian Placebo
Have you read the article that’s circulating at the moment in which self proclaimed atheist, Matthew Parris argues cogently that Africa needs God?
“Now a confirmed atheist, I’ve become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa, Christianity changes people’s hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.” (Matthew Parris from TIMES ONLINE 27/12/08)
Posted on May 26, 2008 - by Frank
World Race – A Life Changing Experience
Twenty-somethings Embark on Journey of Self-Discovery and Service
Hundreds of twenty-somethings, compelled by issues of social justice and simple living, are leaving the comfort of their homes and possessions for a year to travel the world and serve others. They’re calling it a modern-day pilgrimage – an opportunity to find themselves and live amongst the poor.
Posted on May 1, 2008 - by Frank
Ploughshares and the Waihopai Spy Base
They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift sword against nation; and there shall be no more training for war. Isaiah 2:4
Yesterday I spent time considering whether or not it would be appropriate to write about the ANZAC Ploughshares activism at the Waihopai spy base in New Zealand, for The Humanitarian Chronicle. The focus of The Humanitarian Chronicle is humanitarian news and stories. So the question was, does such activism fit in the realm of humanitarian news? My answer, whether I agree with the actions of the three men or not, is yes, as it was ultimately a humanitarian act.
(more…)
Facebook Followers
-
Stand With Us
